Machine for producing printing-bars.



N0. 696,360. Paened III'Im1 25, M02.

E. Il'. BIEALS. l MACHINE FOB PRDDUGIIIIG PRINTING BARS.

(Application led Sept. 13, 1898.)

I3 Sheets--Shee I.

(Pla Model.)

TH: imams Pnzns co. mcmmnm msnmavcm. n. c.

Patented Mar. 25, |902.

E'. V. BEALS.' -MACHINE FUR PRDUGING PRINTING BARS.

(Application filed sept. 1'3,-1e9s.$

`I3 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

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Z u w 5, 2 r. a M d B t n e l d Du Qw L A E B V L 0. 6 3, 6 9 6 nw N MACHINE FDR PBDDUCING PRINTING BARS.

(Application fixed sept. 13, 189s.)

la sheets-sham a.

(No Model.)

we Noms Ferias co`. moro-uma. wxsmnswnA u c Patentd Mar. 25, I902.

E. V. BEALS.

MACHINE FOB PRUDUCING PRINTING BARS.

(Application led Sept. 13, 18 9B.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

L 5, 2 r. a M d e .t n e .t a P Sw L A F. B V E MACHINE FUR PRGDUCING PRINTING BARS.

(Application led Sept. 13, 1898.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

Patented Mar. 25, |902.

E. V. BEALS.

MACHlNE FOB PRDDUCING PRINTING BARS.

(Application led Sept. 13, 1898.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet 6.

(N0 Model.)

Patented Mar. 25, |902.

E. V. BEALS. MACHINE FR PRODUCING PRINTING BARS.

(Application filed Sept. 13. 1898.)

(No Model.)

/III lIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Mm.. Hummm" No. 696,360. Patented Mar. 25, H902.

E. V. BEALS. MACHINE FUR PRDUCING PRINTING BARS.

(Application filed Sept. 18, 1898.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet 8,

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No. 696,360. Patented Mar. 25, |902.

E. V. BEALS.

MACHINE FUR PRODUGING PRINTING BARS.

(Applicatien led Sept, 13, 189B.)

I3 Sheets--Shreet 9.

(No Model.)

Patented Mar. 25, |902.

E. v. SEALS. MACHINE FOR PRODUCING PRINTING BARS.

(Application Bled Sept. 13. 1898.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet I0.

(No Model.)

TN: Nonms PETERS' co4 Pnoroumo.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

Patented Mar. 25, |902.

E. V. BEALS.

MACHINE FOR PBDUGING PRINTING BARS.

(Application led Sept. 13, 1898.A

(No Model.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet II.

P@ 2 n. P

Patented Mar. 25, |902 E. V. BELS.

MACHINE FOR PRODUGING PRINTING BARS.

(Applicption filed Sept. 13. 1898.)

I3 Sheets-Sheet I2.

(NofModel.)

Patented Mar. 2 5, |902. E. V. BEALS.

MACHINE FOR PRUDUCING PRINTING BIII'IS.l

(Applieacion mea sept. 1a, 169e.)

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ERI. V. BEALS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHIN FOR PRDUCING PRINTING-BARS SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,360, dated March 25, 1902. Application filed September 13, 1898. Serial No. 690,870. (No model.)

the following is a specification. y

My invention relates to machines for producing printing bars or slugs which bear on one edge,properly j ustilied, the characters required to print an entire line; and my invention has special reference to machines of this character in which a series of parallel sliding matrix-strips are employed, each containing at one edge thereofaseries ofintaglio letters or characters, said strips being moved independently of" each other to assemble the desired characters side by side in a common transverse casting -line to form a matrix, against which metal or plastic material is cast or forced to forni a printing bar or slug.

My invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction of machines of this description and enable them to be operated much more rapidly than heretofore, and also to provide such machines with apluralityV of keyboards arranged to be operated at one time by several persons, each seated at one of thekeyboards, each keyboard controlling the main machine in turn on the same or on separate and distinct matter without interfering with each other.

In my improved machine two separate and independently-operated groups of mechanism are employed, one cont-rolled by the other at the proper time and moving synchronously therewith. The first of these groups consists of an electrically controlled matrix-assembling mechanism whereby the movement of each matrix-strip is arrested through the medium of an electromagnet when the selected character thereon has reached a common transverse casting-line. The second group consists of a series of independent line-composing mechanisms, each operated by an in dependent keyboard and designed to subsequently control the matrix-assembling mechanism when connected therewith, said linecomposing mechanisms each comprising a series of rings which are set by the manipulation ol' the finger -keys to form a cylinder which when rotated synchronously with the produce the nished printing-bar, sothatoneor several operators can manipulate the machine at the same time, employing a single matrix-assembling and casting mechanism only, whereby the product of a single machinev is increased in proportion to the number of operators employed thereon.

My invention also embodies many other novel features, Vcombinations of parts, and details of construction, whichwill be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of my improved machine for producing printing-bars. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, some of its parts being removed to better illustrate the operation of the matrix-strips. Fig. 3 is a plan view with some of its parts removed to show the multiple linger-board mechanisms and their connections with the matriX-strip-assemblin'g mechanism. Fig. 4 is aplan of the series ot matrix-strips detached, illustrating the manner in which they slide past each other when operated by the assembling mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail of the matrix-strips on the line 5 5 of Fig. at, showing the matrices assembled at a common transverse casting-line. Fig. G is a front elevation of the matrix-strips, their operating-magnets mounted upon carriages, the hooked armatures pivoted to the matrixstrips, andthe grooved plates for locking said matrix-strips. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are details of the casting mechanism. Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are details illustrating the construction of the valve of the melting-pot and the mechanism by which the printing-bar blank or slug is introduced into the throat of the valve and ejected therefrom. Figs. 16,

17, and 18 are Views of the three-part galley tion of the same.

thin endof the strip.

sunk in the bottoms of the transverse infor receiving the finished printing-bars, illustrating the manner in which the bars produced by each operator are assembled and kept separate from those produced by the other operators. Fig. 19 is a diagram of the electrical connections between the several nger-board mechanisms and the matrix-stripassembling mechanism. Figs. 20 and 21 are respectively an end elevation and a section of the circuit-interrupting device for automatically preventing the interference of one finger-board mechanism with the others in their control of the general matrix-strip-assembling mechanism. Fig. 22 is a plan of the composing mechanism, showing one linecomposing device complete and portions of the adjacent ones. Fig. 23 is a front eleva- Fig. 24 is an end elevation of the same. Figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28 are perspective detail views of the line-composing mechanism. Figs. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are views illustrating the construction of the justifying mechanism which cooperates with the composing mechanism to produce the justification of a line; Figs. 35, 36, 37, 38,39, and 40, details to be referred to. Fig. 41 is a perspective View of the slug onprepared blank. Fig. 42 is a perspective view of the printing-bar complete.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the framework of the machine, which may be of any suitable form and construction to adapt it to support the operative parts hereinafter described.

425 represents a series of horizontally-arranged sliding matrix-strips, which are supported on a table 426, which forms a guideway for the same. The table 426 is provided at its front and rear edges with ledges 462 and 463, the space between which is occupied by the matrix-strips and their clamping mechanism, and in this table, midway between the ends, is formed an opening 427, Figs. 7, 11, and 12, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The matrix-strips are" tapered from end to end and are arranged with their thin ends eX- tending alternately in opposite directions, their thick ends normally lapping each other over the transverse opening 427 in the table 426, as shown'in Fig. 3. These strips are designed to slide longitudinally past each other, each strip moving in a direction opposite to that of the strips next adjacent thereto. Each strip is provided at its lower edge with a series of rectangular indentations 428, the inner surfaces of which are provided with intagliocharacters. Eachstripisprovided with 'all the characters used in printing, said characters being arranged in the order of their width, the narrowest characters being at the The characters are dentatons 428 in such manner that they will stand properly side by side in a line transverse of the series of matrix-strips, as shown in Fig. 5. The upper edge of each strip is provided with a series of notches arranged directly over the indentations of the lower edge, said notches being designed to receive lan alining-blade to be hereinafter described.

At the thick end of each matrix-strip is a projection 429,to the outer end of which is pivoted an arm 430, having at its outer end a hook 431 and on its upper edge a projection 432, which is adapted to engage the transversely-grooved surface of one of a pair of hinged plates 433, located thereover, whereby said strip is temporarily held in position before being clamped for the casting operation. These plates 433 are hinged at their outer ends at 579 to upright supports at the ends of the table 426 and are connected together at 580 by a pin on the one fitting in a slot in the other, said plates being raised and lowered together by a rod 581, pivoted to one side of one of the plates at 582, the other end of said rod being pivoted to an arm 583, rocking on a stay-rod 584, said arm 583 carrying a roll engaging a groove inl a cam-wheel 542 on the main cam-shaft 454. Secured to each projection 429 is a spring 434, the upper end of which is slidingly connected with the arm 430, pivoted to said projection, and tends to raise the arm as far as permitted by its tailpiece 435, which contacts with the edge of the projection 429, which forms a stop therefor.

' On carriages 436 437, sliding in suitable guides, are mounted two sets of magnets 438 and 439, said carriages, which are located over the matrixstrips, moving longitudinally and simultaneously in opposite directions with respect to each other and being each provided with a transverse bar 440, over which catch the hooks 431 of the pivoted arms 430 when the carriages are at the limit of Atheir inward lnovements, said arms constituting the armatures of said magnets.

In the front side of the table 426 is formed a groove 441, in which slides a tongue 442 on IOO IIO

the downwardly-extending portion of each of I the carriages 436 437. The rear edges of the carriages are secured to rack-bars 443 and 444, which slide in suitable guideways formed in the table 426, the carriage 437 being secured to the rack-bar 444 and the carriage 436 to the rack-bar 443, said rack-bars having teeth on the rear side and the rack-bar 443 being also provided with teeth on its upper surface for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Meshingwith these rack-bars are two horizontal gears 445 and 446 of the same diameter, which also mesh with each other, the gear 445, which meshes with the rack 443, being secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 447, supported in suitable bearings, and the gear 446, which meshes with the rack 444, rotating on a stud on the frame A. To the lower end of the shaft 447 is secured another gear 448, which is engaged by a horizontal rack 449, sliding in a guideway secured to end a link 450, the outer end of which is pivoted to one arm of a bell-crank lever 451, fulcrumed at 452, the other arm of said lever carrying a cam-roll engaging a groove in the side of a cam-wheel 453, secured to the main horizontal cam-shaft 454, which is journaled in suitable bearings in the frame A, and thus, through the connections described, as the cam-wheel is revolved the carriages are reciprocated synchronously in opposite directions for a purpose which will now be described.

When the carriages are at the limit of their inward movements, the tapered matrix-strips are all in their extreme outward positions, (shown in Fig. 3,) and as the carriages are moved outwardly away from each other they carry with them the matrix-strips temporarily connected therewith, those strips on the right being moved in the direction of the arrow 455 by the carriage 436 and those on the left in the direction of the arrow 456 by the carriage 43 7.

The carriages are enabled to actuate the strips, as above stated, by reason of the arms 430 engaging the transverse bars 440, the hooked ends of said arms 430 beingheld down in engagement with said bars by the magnets 438 and 439 acting upon the armature-arms 430, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be understood that the projections 429 of the matrixstrips on the right-hand side are located on the left-hand side of the center transverse assembling or casting line, said projections never crossing said line, and that the projec-4 tions 429 of the matrix-strips on the left-hand side are located on the right-hand side ot' said assembling-line and never pass to the left of said line. During the movement of the carriages away from each other the magnets of the two sets mounted thereon, whichhave been holding down the hooked armature-arms 430, as described, are demagnetized successively or simultaneously, as the case may be, by the breaking of the individual circuits in which they are included, said breaking being effected by mechanism to -be hereinafter described. As each magnet is dem'agnetized its particular arm 430 is thrown up byits spring 434 disengaging the hook 431 from the bar 440 and at the same time causing the projection 432 of said arm to engage one of the notches of the hinged plate 433 thereover, thus instantly arresting the movement of the particular matrix-strip to which saidarm is pivoted and simultaneously locking said strip in said arrested position, with one of its series of intaglio characters in the transverse casting-line. It will thus be seen that the particular character brought into the transverse casting-line will depend upon the longitudi nal position in which the matrixstrip is stopped by the means described. That is true of one matrix-strip applies to the entire series, which are all moved by said carriages, and such ones released and locked in such position or positions as may be required during a single outward movement of said cartriX-strips and produce an accurate alinement y of the intaglio characters on saidstrips, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the locking of the strips by the engagement of the projections 432 with the transverse grooves of the hinged plates 433 having only approximately effected this alinement. Thisalining-blade 457 is guided in a transverse slot 461, formed in an anvil 460, projecting over the matrix-strips at the assembling-line, said anvil affordinga rigid bearing against which the matrix-strips are forced to insure the bottoms of the intaglio characters at `the assembling-line being all in the same plane. Vhile the matrixstrips are being alined, as described, they are being tightly clamped together, by mechanism which will now be described.

Between the rear matrix-strip and the rear ledge 463 of the ltable 426 is a long clampingbar 464, which slides on said table transversely of the same. To this bar 464, at the centerof its lengthis secured a rack-bar 465, which projects rearwardly and is engaged by a sector-arm 465, secured te a rockshaft 466, supported in bearings in the frame, said shaft being provided with a crank-arm 467, to which is pivoted a rod 468, which ICO rod 468 being held in place by a transverse pin 471, arranged to slide in slots in said tubular piece 469, to the lower end of which is pivoted one arm of a bell-crank lever 472, the

opposite end of which carries a cain-roll 473, t

width of the matrix-strips at the transverse casting-line is constantly varying by reason of the matrix-strips being drawn out more or less by the carriages, it follows that the clamping-bar will be brought into contact with the strips sooner or laterin its inward movement, the variation in motion being taken up by the spring 470, which is of suchstrength as to cause the clamping-bar to eX- ert a sufficient yielding pressure against the series of matrix-strips to keep them tightly in contact with each, other as required. Since the total number of letters in a line of given length varies according to the thicknesses of IIO ISO

said letters, it follows that the number of matrix-strips assembled to form such line will vary likewise, as will also the number of unused matrix-strips.

Those matrix-strips which go to make up a line when properly justified, as will be hereinafter described, always occupy the same lateral space at the casting-line, but the lateral space occupied by the unused matrixstrips at said casting-line will vary according to the number of such strips. Hence the necessity of providing a clamping device having a variable movement.

At the same time that the matrix-strips are clamped, as desired, the alining-blade 457 is caused to engage the notches 459 of the whole series of matriX-strips,to accomplish which anl arm 475, Fig. 8, connected with the pivot 458 of the alining-blade, is thrust outward by the action of an oblique cam-groove 476 on a roll at the lower end of the arm 475, said eamgroove being formed in an arm 477, projecting from the melting-pot 478, which is moved vertically, as will be hereinafter described.

Casting mec7m1nsm-l-lavingdescribed the mechanism forassembling,alining,andclamping the matrix-strips, it now remains to describe the mechanism by which the printingbars are produced from the transverse line of assembled matrices. 1n obtaining these printing-bars l preferably em ploy previouslyprepared blanks or bases 479, upon the edges of which the printing-faces 480 are to be cast. The blank, Fig. 41, is composed of any suitable material--for exam ple,hard metal-upon one edge of which is to be cast or molded in the present machine an edge portion of soft metal or othersuitablesubstance designed to bear upon its face the printing-letters required for an entire line. One longitudinal edge of the blank is provided with notches, into which fit correspondingly-shaped apertured projections or nipples 544 at the top of the melting-pot 478. Extending through the blank in the direction of its width from the bottom of said notches to its opposite edge is a series of holes which register with the corresponding ports 494 of the discharge-valve of the melting-pot, these holes forming the passage-ways for the molten metal to pass into the molding-chamber formed between the edge of the blank and the line of matrices. Near one end of the blank is formed an additional passage-way, which communicates with the longitudinal groove in the edge of the blank and extends down into one of the said notches, said opening forming a vent for the escape of air from the molding-chamber as the molten metal enters the same. These blanks are adapted to be fed one at a time to the cast- `ing-line, each blank having at its ends suitone against a movable stop 484, forming the movable part of the mouthpiece of the discharge-valve of the melting-pot 478. The stop 484, Figs. 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15, is arranged to slide vertically in a dovetailed way 485, secured to a rack-bar 486, which slides horizontally in a grooved bracket 487 on the under side of the table 426, said rack-bar receiving motion from a gear 488 on a sleeve 489, mounted on a shaft 466, previously referred to. To the sleeve 489 is securedanother gear 490, which is engaged by a rackbar 491, the lower end of which is forked to embrace the cam-shaft 454 and is provided with a cam-roll, (shown dotted in Figs. 2 and 8,) which lies within the groove of a camwheel 492, the curves of which are not shown, but are adapted to produce at proper intervals two consecutive forward movements of the rack-bar 488, and thus through the connections described as the said wheel is rotated the rack-bar 486 is reciprocated carrying with it the stop 484, for a purpose to be presently described. When the rack-bar is moved in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 10, the foremost blank is carried forward with said bar by the engagement therewith of the projections 495 with the notches in the ends of the blank, the notches and projections being shown in Fig. 15, this movement placing said blank over the ports 494 of the dischargevalve of the melting-pot, as shown in detail in Figs. 11, 12, and 18. During this forward movement the rear portion or tailpiece of a guard-block 493, which is secured to said rackbar 486, as shown in Fig. 10, slides in contact with the next printing-bar blank, thus formingastop forretaining theentire row of blanks in place, and as soon as the guard-block in its backward movement clears the row of blanks the spring-actuated follower 488 forces the entire row forward, bringing the foremost one into contact with the stop 484', when the projections 495 are broughtin line with the guiderails 482, which enter the notches 481 of lthe blank and serve to securely support it during its subsequent movements, it being understood that the guide-rails 482 terminate at the edge of the horizontal path of travel of the foremost blank and close to the said projections 495. As the blank is moved forward with the stop 484, which constitutes the movable part of the mouthpiece of the meltingpot, it is slid against the stationary portion 496 of said mouthpiece, thus occupying a position between the two portions of said mouthpiece, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The stationary portion 496 of the mouthpiece projects upwardly from the valve-casing 497, which latter is integral with the melting-pot 478, on the front side of which is formed a dovetailed projection 498, which slides vertically in a guideway 499 on the framework A. (Shown in Fig. 10.) j

At one side of vthe bottom of the meltingpot is formed a projection 500, the lower end of which carries a roll which engages a groove IOO IIO

in a Cain-wheel 501 on the main cam-shaft 454, whereby as the said cam-wheel is rotated the required vertical movements will be given to the melting-pot for purposes to be hereinafter described. The upper portion of the melting-pot is provided with a main central chamber 502 for containing the molten metal, outside of which are formed two annular chambers 503 and 504, the latter communicating` through a passage 505 with the main or central chamber 502. The chamber 504 is intended to receivea supply of metal to be after-V` ward introduced through the passage 505 into the inner central chamber, and within the` chamber 503 is placed wire or other suitable material of known electrical resistance, through which is passed an electric current for the purpose of generating heat to melt the metal and maintain it at the proper temperature.' The central chamber 502 is closed at the top, and within the lower open end of the melting-pot in line with said chamber 502 is fitted a vertically-sliding plunger 506, provided with suitable packing-rings 507, and adapted to close said chamber at the bottom.

In order to effect the discharge of the molten metal to produce the printing-bar, the plunger 506 is caused to exert a constant pressure ou the metal in the central chamber 502 by mechanism which will now be described. Extending up within an open chamber 512 at the lower end of the plunger 506 is a vertical screw-shaft 508, provided with a fixed collar 509, the head 510 of said shaft fitting loosely within a cavity 511 in said plunger and the lower end ot' said shaft engaging a nut 514, provided on its periphery with ratchet-teeth, said nut being supported on a plate 515, Fig. 0, forming a portion of the lower part of the melting-pot. Encircling the shaft 508 between the collar 500 and the top of the chamber 512 is a coiled spring 513, which exerts a constant upward pressure against the plunger 506 by reasonof the screw-shaft 508, which carries the collar 509, being prevented from descending by `the ratchet-nut 514, through which its lower end passes. It will be understood that as fast as the metal is discharged from the chamber 502 the plunger 506 will be raised by the spring 513, which wouldsoon cease to exert sufficient pressure on thev plunger to cause the metal to be discharged from said chamber 502, and for the purpose of automatically keeping the spring at the required tension I provide a device which will now be described. Pivoted at 516 to a lug projecting from the interior of the plunger 506 is a lever 517, the short forked arm 518 of which embraces the collar 509, the long arm of said lever being provided with a slot 519, in`which fits a stud 520, the opposite end of which is squared and slides longitudinally within a s105521, Figs. 7 and 0, in an angular arm 522, projecting from the bottom of the framework of the melting-pot. On this stud 520 is pivoted a connecting-rod 523 the o 3 osite end of which is pivoted to an' arm 524, projecting from a short sleeve 525, rocking upon a stud 526, projecting from a long stationary arm 527, secured to the framework A. One end of this sleeve 525 is provided with a block 528, having a slot in which slides a roller mounted at one end of a horizontal bar 529, which slides in guides in the framework of the melting-pot. On one side of this bar is a lug to which is pivoted a spring-pawl 530, engaging the teeth of the ratchet-toothed nut 514, previously referred to. Thus as the plunger 506 rises during the discharge of the metal, carrying with it the pivot 516, while the collar 509 in the screw-shaft 508remains stationary, it follows that the lower slotted end of the lever 517 will be moved to the right and through the connections described will turn the block 528, so that its slot will be inclined at an oblique angle, wherebyas the bar 529, carried by the melting-pot, is moved up and down therewith a horizontal reciprocating movement will be given to said bar, causing its pawl 550 to actuate the ratchettoothed nut 514, raising the vertical screwshaft 508, with its collar 509, andV thus restoring to the spring 513 the tension lost by the rise of the plunger 506, resulting from previous discharges of the metal. This automatic device is intended to operate atintervals only, when the tension of the spring has been reduced to such an extent that it will fail to effect a sufficient pressure on the molten metal 'to produce a perfect printing bar. After the metal iu the central chamber has become exhaustedand it becomes necessary to replenish the supply the plunger 506 is drawn down sufficiently to uncover 'the pas-` sage 505, when the molten metal in the annular outer chamber 504 will flow into said chamber 502, after which the outer chamber maybe resupplied with metal. The drawing down'of the plunger is effected by turning a hand-wheel 531, secured to `a short vertical IOO IIO

shaft provided at its upper end with a gear 532, which meshes with a gear 533, fastened to the ratchet-toothed nut 514, the rotation of which causes the screw-shaft 508 to descend,`

carrying with it the plunger 506.

Immediately over the center of the chamber 502 and communicating therewith through `a slot 536 is located the `rotary valve 534, `throu gh which the molten metal is discharged l into and through the printing-bar blank, Figs.

11 and 12, to the molding-chamber formed by an alined series of the indentations 42S of the `matrix-strips 425, having the requiredv intaglio characters in their bottoms, as previously described. As before mentioned, the molding-chamber is formed by au alined series of indentations in the matrix-strips, as

shown in Fig. 5, and the end wall on one side is formed by the front ledge 462 of the table 426, Fig. 8, against which the whole series of matrix-strips are thrustby the clamping-bar 464, while the end wall on the other side is formed either by the clamping-bar 464 itself .mit and cut off the flow of the metal.

when all the matrix-strips are employed in forming the line or when less than the whole number of matrix-strips are needed for the characters in the line, then the side of the first matrix-strip not employed for a character becomes the end wall on this side, there being no indentation at the alined point in the matrix-strips not used for characters in said line. rFhis valve, which is ot` conical shape, as shownin Fig. 8, is provided with a series of openings 535 of different lengths, which as said valve is turned in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 13, are consecutively caused to register with their respective ports 494, so as to permit the molten metal to be injected into the molding-chamber first through the aperture at the end of the blank opposite to the'end which is provided with the small airaperture, and thence successively through the other apertures in the order of their distance from the said first aperture, until finally the metal having filled the mold fills up said air-aperture also, at which time the further revolving of the valve closes the air-aperture also, the purpose of admitting the metal into the mold consecutively through the openings ot" the blank being to driveout the air in advance of the metal as it fills up the mold. The valve is provided at one end with a gear 537, with which meshes a rack bar 538, which slides in suit-able bearings on the top of the melting-pot, said rack having pivoted to its outer end a link 539, Fig. 2, pivoted at its opposite end to one arm of a bell-crank lever 540 fulcrumed in the frame A, the other arm of said lever 540 being pivoted to a connecting-rod 541, the lower end of which is forked to embrace the main cam-shaft 454 and carries a roll engaging a groove in the side of a cam-wheel 542 on said cam-shaft, and thus through the connections described the valve is oscillated at the proper times to open and close the ports 494 to per- I have already described the mechanism by which the printing-bar blank is taken from the row of blanks between the guide-rails 482 and deposited over the ports 494 between the movable and stationary portions 484 and 496 of the mouthpiece, as shown in Fig. 11, the blank being held firmly between said two portions, with the notches 481 engaging the projections 495 of the movable piece 484, said projections being shown in Fig. 15. The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 11, the melting-pot is raised by the cam 501, as already described, which causes the two portions of the mouthpiece to enter the tapered opening 427 in the table 426. As the melting-pot is raised the part'496 of the mouthpiece rises until its upper end is even with that of the movable portion 484, when both parts of the mouthpiece continue to travel together until their upper ends strike the table 426, when the two parts of the mouthpiece become wedged toward eachother by the inclined sides of the opening 427 acting on their tapered ends, thus turned and the metal admitted to the molding-chamber 545, after which the cam 501 draws down the' melting-pot, when the parts will again assume the position shown in Fig. 11, after which the rack-bar 486, to which is attached the movable portion 484 carrying -the completed printing-bar, is given a further movement to the left by its operatingcam 492, until the forward end of the printing-bar engages the tapered end of a stationary bar 546, which forces said printing-bar out of engagement with the projections 495, as shown in Fig. 15, when said printing-bar slides down an inclined chute 547 into its proper galley, as will now be described.

As there are three finger-boards in the machine here represented, there must be three separate and distinct receiving-galleys, one for the printing-bars produced by each operator, said galleys forming a single multiplex galley. These galleys 548, 549, and 550 (shown in Figs. 16 and 17) are removable and are arranged side by side in a common plane, separated by suitable partitions 551, which form Ways in which said galleys slide and from which they are removed when filled and replaced by others. These galleys are arranged at right angles to the inclined chute 547, with their open ends in communication therewith. At the lower end of the chutes 547 is a fixed stop 552, by which the printingbar dropping down through said chute is arrested in a position opposite to the mouth of the lower galley, if its course is not previously interrupted by one of the movable stops 553 554, which are located opposite to the lower edges of the galleys 548 and 549. These movable stops consist of bell-crank levers pivoted to lugs 555, projecting from the galley-support, and are automatically operated at the required times by devices forming a portion of the composing mechanism, to be hereinafter described. It should be understood that when a printing-bar is to be placed within the lowermost galley 550 neither of the movable stops 553 or 554 is advanced, leaving the chute clear for the full 'descent of the printing-bar. It the printing-bar is to be deposited in the middle galley 549, the stop 554 will be advanced, thus arresting the bar opposite to said galley, and if the printing-bar is to be deposited in the topmost galley 548 the stop 553 is advanced to arrest the bar opposite to the open end of said upper galley.

Having described the manner in which the printing-bars are arrested opposite to their proper galleys, it .remains to show how they are introduced 4within the same. To arms 556 on a rock-shaft 557, supported in bearings IOO IIO

on the galley-support, is secured a long flat bar 558,.forming a portion of one side of the chute 547 and extending across the front ends of the galleys. To a crank-arm 559 on the shaft 557 is pivoted a rod 560, the opposite forked end of which embraces the cam-shaft 454, Fig. 2, and carries a cam-roll engaging a groove in a cam-wheel 561 on said shaft, whereby the shaft 557 is rocked to advance the bar 558, which thus pushes the printingbar from its stopped position in the chute 547 into its proper galley, the lower edge of the bar 558 at the same time acting on the in clined end of either one of the movable stops 553 554 which may have been advanced, forcing it down out of the way to leave the chute unobstructed, ready for the passage of the next printing-bar to any one of the three galleys in which it may be desired to place it.

Drt'ning mecicmswi.--MotionA is communicated to the machine by an electric motor 602, secured to the framework A, Figs. 1 and 2, a worm 563, Figs. 1 and 2, on the shaft of which motor engages a worm-gear 564, loosely mounted on the main cam-'shaft 454. The hub of this worm-gear forms one member of a clutch 565, the other member being splined to said cam-shaft and capable of being connected or disconnected atwill by hand. On the shaft 454 is secured a gear 566, which through intermediate gears 567 568 drives a gear 569, loosely mounted on a long shaft 570, the hub of said gear 569 having an arm 571, which carries a spring-pressed pawl 572, Figs. 1 and 2, engaging a notch in a disk 573, secured to the shaft 576. On one end of the shaft 570 is secured a balancenvheel 574, and at intervals throughout its length are secured grooved pulleys 575, 576, and 577, and at the extreme left-hand end of said shaft is a small grooved pulley 578, all of which pulleys are connected by suitable belts with the compos` ing mechanism, which will now be described.

llfultple composing mechanisms- At the left-hand upper portion of Fig. lis shown the composing mechanism, which also embodies the justifying mechanism, and as these mechanisms are of identically the same construction as those represented and described in my applications for Letters Patent, filed on the 21st day of February, 1898, Nos. 671,170 and 671,171, l will now describe the` saine only as far as necessary to an understanding of the application of these mechanisms to the matriX-strip-assembling and line-casting devices hereinbefore fully described.

My composing mechanism comprises a series of independent finger-boards all coperatively connected together and each operating in any sequence of turns the hereinbefore fully described matriX-strip-assembling and casting mechanisms. The number of lingerboards herein shown is three; but a greater number may be employed, three being sufficient to fully illustrate the general construction and organization of the machine.

Each operator works independently of his neighbors on different matter and with such intervals of action and inaction as he may choose-in fact, just as if he were the only operator at work on a single-keyboard machine. It should he understood that each composing mechanism of the series is connected directly with the automatic assembling and casting mechanism hereinbefore referred to only for from one to three seconds at a time, means being providedby which are prevented any possible interferences, such as would occur if two or more operators should happen to complete their lines at exactly the same time and then simultaneously attempt to effect the 'casting of their printing-bars..

In the following description since all of the finger-boards are alike only one will be described and afterward their joint arrangement.

200 represents the base of the multiple composing mechanism, which is supported on two arms 585, forming a portion of the main `frame A, from which base rise two arms 201 203 are arranged to slide laterally and rotate freely thereon a series of thin rings 209, as shown in Figs. 25 and 26, each provided with a long lug 52 and also with other shorterlugs of various lengths for justifying purposes, as will be hereinafter described. Each ring is provided onits inner periphery with teeth, which as said ring is moved laterally along the shaft 203 engage longitudinal ribs 211 on a sleeve 212, supported on the shaft 203, as shown `in Figs. 22 and 23, said sleeve carrying a gear 213, with which meshes a smaller gear 214, secured to a long shaft 215, extending lengthwise ofthe mechanismand connected by suitable gears 216 217 with ashaft 218, Fig. 3, receiving motion through the bevel-gears 589 and 588, the shaft 587, and the rack 443, as hereinafter fully described, in such manner that it willinter'mittently revolve in one direction and then in the opposite direction. `The right-hand end of the sleeve 212 fits closely against a shoulder on the shaft 203, formed by the enlarged portion of the same, the diameter of said sleeve being the same as that of said enlarged portion. The sleeve 212.*is held in a fixed position by a spring locking device 219,fastcned to the projection'201 and acting by entering` a notch 222 to lock the gear 213, to which the sleeve is fastened, as shown in Fig. 40. The entire series of rings 209 is embraced by two collars 220, Aforming part of a yoke 221, secured to an IOO ilo 

